“Lost” Season 6 Premiere Ratings Strong

For all its cult appeal, “Lost” has always walked a ratings tight rope. Because the show’s storylines are elaborate and trade heavily on previously established plot points and character relationships, many newcomers to the show find it a frustrating viewing experience. The feeling is if you didn’t watch from the beginning, it’s pointless to tune in now. The show’s creators and ABC have done their best to catch viewers up, often running hour-long recap episodes before new ones (including last night). But it’s been a struggle to grow the show’s cult-like viewership.

Ratings for last night’s premiere, however, bode well for the coming final season. The two-hour episode scored the highest ratings for the show in nearly two years, up 12% from last year’s premiere, according to Nielsen. The show averaged a 5.6 in the coveted adults 18-49 category. The recap special, which aired at 8 p.m., also did well, finishing second in its time slot behind “American Idol” on Fox. The combined ratings led ABC to win the night overall.

Some of those numbers no doubt represent new viewers. If they felt confused last night, they needn’t worry; the premiere contained so many quick cuts, time shifts, bizarre twists and new characters that even longtime viewers found themselves scratching their heads.